Bioreactors

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This course links to various concepts introduced in the course Plants and Microbes and provides you with a general understanding of the use of bioreactors within the field of biotechnology. You acquire a deep knowledge of cell culture growth parameters and kinetics and gain an overview of the available technologies for their cultivation. You learn the principles of fermentation, the influence of nutrient availability, temperature, pH and O2 concentration on cell growth and how an equal distribution of these can be achieved within a bioreactor. You learn the principles of the three operation modes of bioreactors, and understand the differences in design and function between the most widely used bioreactor types for submerged fermentation. Distinctions between bioreactors for microbial vs. plant cell cultures are be highlighted and photobioreactors used to culture algae are also be described. The difference between bioreactors to produce metabolites, chemicals, proteins or biomass on the one hand and bioreactors that are designed to remove pollutants (e.g. denitrification) is also discussed. You are requested to study two methods commonly used to increase cell biomass inside a reactor and compare them based upon a number of set criteria: the use of membranes and the immobilization of cells. The approach of integrating different microorganisms in a single process configuration and considerations on the properties of the microorganisms required to implement this in a bioreactor is covered. Scaling up aspects from a shake flask to a bench-top to a large-scale fermenters is be studied. Finally, the use of disposable bioreactors and the socio- economic importance of bioreactors in our rapidly developing economy is discussed.